AS WORLD leaders gather for COP30 in Brazil this November to address the global climate crisis, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is taking local action by opening the latest round of Sustainable Development Fund applications.

The Fund offers grants of up to £25,000 for community-led projects in and around the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park that reduce carbon emissions and help respond to the climate emergency.

Recent beneficiaries demonstrate the diverse range of projects the Fund supports. Southern Roots Organics (Awen Organics) in North Pembrokeshire received a grant of £12,400 to install solar panels, achieving 100% energy self-sufficiency within the first week and saving an estimated 2.6 tonnes of CO₂e annually. Already a net carbon-sequestering farm, the project enabled further emissions reductions while supporting their mission to grow high-quality organic produce and model a healthy, sustainable local food system.

Ocean Lab Goodwick, which hosts the Sea Trust Wales charity, was awarded £21,470 to install a 12.6 kWp solar PV system. The installation, completed in January 2025, is expected to significantly cut emissions and energy costs, allowing the charity to reinvest savings into vital community and conservation initiatives.

Nadia Tomsa from Sea Trust Wales said: “Despite numerous obstacles, the Ocean Lab PV project was completed thanks to strong teamwork and support from SDF. We’re proud to demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and climate action, and we look forward to sharing the benefits of clean energy with our community.”

The installation also serves as a visible example of renewable energy in action, engaging local groups including the Repair Cafe and Youth Marine Biology Club.

Cilrath Acre, the charity behind Pembrokeshire Foodbank, received SDF support to install a compost toilet, enhancing comfort, hygiene and accessibility for volunteers and visitors. The project enhances the site’s sustainability while improving community wellbeing and creating opportunities for volunteers to engage with nature and regenerative land practices.

Applicants can apply for projects that deliver measurable carbon reduction outcomes. Projects may include installing renewable energy generation facilities such as solar panels on community buildings; initiatives to promote reduction in transport emissions such as electric charging points; community facilities that minimise waste such as water fountains; or other community-based carbon reduction initiatives.

The Sustainable Development Fund consists of money allocated from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Welsh Government Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places Fund. Note, this fund is for capital expenditure only.

For information about eligibility, how to apply, and the application form, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/sdf or contact [email protected].

The deadline for applications is the end of Friday 5 December 2025.

Climate adaptation toolkit joins global sustainability programme

PEMBROKESHIRE COASTAL FORUM (PCF) has announced that its Climate Adaptation Toolkit for Coastal Communities has been officially endorsed as a United Nations Ocean Decade Activity, recognising the project’s contribution to international efforts to build a more sustainable relationship with the world’s oceans.

The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, brings together organisations across the globe to generate and share knowledge that can support resilient and sustainable coastal futures. Endorsed activities contribute to one or more of the Decade’s ten scientific and societal challenges.

PCF’s Climate Adaptation Toolkit is designed to help coastal communities prepare for the realities of climate change. The project provides accessible information, guidance and learning materials for local authorities, educators and community groups as they plan for coastal erosion, flooding, sea-level rise and other long-term environmental pressures.

Running from December 2025 to March 2026, the project will use online learning resources, case studies and engagement sessions to increase understanding of how climate change is already affecting the coastline, and what practical steps communities can take to adapt.

Jetske Germing, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, said: “We’re honoured that the Climate Adaptation Toolkit has been recognised as part of the United Nations Ocean Decade. This endorsement highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in tackling coastal challenges, and reflects our ongoing commitment to building resilient, sustainable coastal communities.”

The endorsement places the toolkit within an international network of projects working towards the UN Decade’s vision of “the science we need for the ocean we want”.

PCF’s involvement adds to Wales’ growing profile in the field of coastal sustainability. The organisation’s wider programme of work includes Marine Renewable Energy, Sustainable Recreation, Education and Skills, Water Quality, and Land Use — all centred on its vision of a sustainable coast and ocean for future generations.

Further information about the UN Ocean Decade can be found on the initiative’s website.

CHILDREN in Wales are now afraid to go to bed when it rains heavily due to the “hidden scars” left by repeated flooding, the Senedd has heard.

The warning comes as a Senedd report found Wales risks “falling behind” England on forecasting technology, leaving communities vulnerable to increasing extreme weather.

Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the climate committee, led an inquiry into the response to storms Bert and Darragh which battered Wales from Pontypridd to Holyhead this time last year.

He said people in Pontypridd received no flood warning for storm Bert until water was “over a foot deep” and the town was “let down” by failed promises made since storm Dennis.

His Plaid Cymru colleague Heledd Fychan echoed this, telling the Senedd of people being told by officials to “ring back if the water starts coming in” when they called for sandbags.

Mr Gruffydd urged the Welsh Government to ensure Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has access to the latest forecasting technologies and sufficient funding. “We need to ensure that Wales doesn’t fall behind in this regard,” he said.

Mr Gruffydd explained: “We heard that technical limitations might be affecting the accuracy of flood forecasting in Wales, which is very concerning to us as a committee.

“We’re currently seeing divergence from England where there’s greater focus and investment on computational modelling in forecasting and longer lead times, and piloting forecasts for surface water flooding.”

The Plaid Cymru politician expressed concerns about the level of public engagement with weather and flood warnings remaining “worryingly low” in Wales.

He was particularly concerned about disparities among poorer households and those who are digitally excluded – with only 9% of low-income households in the UK signed up for warnings compared with 31% in affluent areas, according to the British Red Cross.

Mr Gruffydd raised an “urgent need” for utilities firms to maintain a unified priority service register of vulnerable customers due to often inaccurate and out-of-date systems.

The Welsh Government accepted most of the committee’s recommendations but rejected calls to review the adequacy of emergency funding. Ministers also rejected calls for grants to enable families and businesses to put preventative measures in place, such as floodgates.

During the November 12 debate, Mr Gruffydd said: “This is particularly concerning given the evidence we heard about the impact of flooding events on mental health.

“Contributors to our inquiry described the emotional toll of coping with the aftermath of the damage and the persistent uncertainty surrounding extreme weather events.”

Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives’ shadow climate secretary, was baffled by ministers rejecting calls to review emergency funding.

She said: “The inquiry found that residents and businesses reported that the emergency support and funding was not anywhere near sufficient to cover the damage.”

Labour’s Mick Antoniw, who represents Pontypridd, highlighted that £100m has been invested in flood defences in Rhondda Cynon Taf since storm Dennis in 2020.

But he acknowledged improvements elsewhere were “no consolation” to constituents in Sion Street and Egypt Street who were flooded again during storms Bert and Darragh. He warned of “big issues” on affordable insurance for businesses and renters in flood-risk areas.

Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow climate secretary, said: “The kinds of storms that used to be considered a once-in-a-century event are now happening on an almost annual basis.”

She warned of the “hidden scars” as well as the physical damage wrought by flooding.

Ms Jewell said: “I know families where children fear going to bed when it’s raining heavily because they fear that they will lose everything that’s downstairs. They fear whether their pets will be safe overnight because they have suffered flooding in the past.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister and climate secretary, stated the Welsh Government has invested £77m in flood resilience this year – a record allocation.

He said NRW now operates a “clearer, more timely” 24/7 flood warning information system, which has been refined in light of lessons learned from each storm in recent years.

Mr Irranca-Davies pledged: “We will continue to listen, to learn and to invest in the solutions that safeguard our communities and our natural environment.”